Medical Terms to Know if Your Preemie Is in the NICU

Updated: March 31, 2015

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If you have a preterm baby in the NICU, you’ll probably hear a lot of new medical terms. Here are a few of the most common and what they mean.

If you have a premature baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), it’s likely you’ll hear many unfamiliar words and terms. The faster you learn the lingo of prematurity, the more comfortable you’ll be hearing it used when referencing your baby and his or her care. The following is a glossary of some of the most common NICU terms. Ask the NICU staff if they have more information or pamphlets that might list the common terms used in their hospital, which may be more comprehensive than this list.

A’s and B’s. An abbreviation referring to episodes of apnea (breathing lapses) and bradycardia (too-slow heartbeat).

Asphyxia. A condition where not enough oxygen is getting to the body’s organs. The brain and the kidneys are most sensitive to a lack of oxygen. In some preemies this could have been a problem just before birth, making delivery at that time an urgent matter to prevent or minimize organ damage.

Aspiration. The breathing of liquid (such as formula, stomach fluids or meconium) into the lungs. Untreated, aspiration can lead to pneumonia and other lung problems.

Bagging. Breathing mechanically for the baby — filling the lungs with air by squeezing a bag that’s connected to an endotracheal tube (see below) or attached to a mask fitted over baby’s face.

Bili lights. Also known as phototherapy, this is where blue fluorescent lights are used to treat jaundice.

Blood gas. Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which are checked regularly via a blood test for preemies on breathing machines. Blood gasses need to be in proper balance for baby to grow properly.

Broviac. See central catheter.

Central catheter or central line. A small, thin plastic tube through which fluids are administered to or removed from the body. Broviac catheters are usually placed in the upper chest to reach the vena cava (a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from body back to the heart). PICC lines (percutaneously inserted central catheters) are usually threaded through a vein in the arm. Umbilical catheters can also be inserted into the vein or artery of the umbilical stump after birth.

Chest tube. A small plastic tube placed through the chest wall into the space between the lung and chest wall to remove air or fluid from this space. (See pneumothorax below.)

Cyanosis. A description of color changes to the skin when there’s not enough oxygen in the blood. When a baby is cyanotic, the skin turns blue.

Echocardiogram. An ultrasound of the heart.

Endotracheal tube (ET tube). A plastic tube that goes through the baby’s nose or mouth into the windpipe and is then connected to a ventilator (breathing machine) to help the baby breathe.

Extubation. Removal of the ET tube (see above).

Hemtocrit (Crit). A blood test to see how many red blood cells there are.

Intravenous (IV). Delivering fluids, nutrition and medication through a small plastic tube placed in one of the baby’s veins.

Intubation. The insertion of an endotracheal tube (see above).

Lumber puncture (spinal tap). A test in which spinal fluid is drawn through a small needle placed in the lower back. The spinal fluid is then tested to check for problems (such as bacteria or other infection).

Meconium aspiration. The inhalation of meconium (baby’s first poop) into the lungs, which can lead to problems.

Nasal cannula. Soft plastic tubing that goes around a baby’s head and under the nose, where there are openings (prongs) to deliver oxygen.

Neonatologist. A pediatrician who has special training in newborn intensive care.

Oxyhood. A clear plastic hood placed over the baby’s head that supplies oxygen.

PICC line. See Central catheter.

Pneumothorax. When air from baby’s lungs leaks out into the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This could lead to a lung collapse. Treated with a chest tube; see above.

RDS. See Common Health Problems in Preemies.

Sepsis. An infection of the blood. It can begin as an infection elsewhere in the body and then spread to the blood, or a blood infection can spread to virtually any organ in the body.

Surfactant. A substance that keeps small air sacs in the lungs from collapsing. Preemies usually lack natural surfactant, which is why artificial surfactant is often given to babies in the NICU.

Transfusion. Donated blood given to an anemic baby (one who has too few red blood cells) or has lost too much blood.

Umbilical catheter. A thin tube that is inserted into a vein or artery in the umbilical stump (belly button) to draw blood or give fluids, medication or nutrients.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect the First Year. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.